NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A slow third quarter for the Golden Eagles helped the Vanderbilt Commodores to a 75-61 victory over Tennessee Tech Thursday evening at Memorial Gymnasium.
"I am proud of our kids," expressed head coach Kim Rosamond. "I thought they battled and came in here with the right mindset. Outside of the third quarter, we were right there with them, however, the third quarter was a killer."
Junior Kesha Brady led the Golden Eagles with a team-high 15 points, shooting 10-of-12 from the free throw line and pulling down two boards. Junior Mackenzie Coleman joined Brady in double-digits with 11 points, in addition to four rebounds, a pair of steals, and a block. Senior Anacia Wilkinson was Tech's leading defensive threat as she tied for a team-high eight boards, along with junior Abby Buckner, and tying her season-high with four blocks.
Tech held a 9-7 lead at the 6:07-minute mark of the opening period, before producing a 12-7 run over the final six minutes of play to take a 21-14 lead after the first 10 minutes of play. Tech would extend their lead to double-digits with a little over two minutes to play in the first half, 37-26, before Vanderbilt closed the half with a pair of baskets to bring the deficit down to six at the break, 37-31.
The Golden Eagles outplayed the Commodores in a defensive battle during the first half of play. Tech shot 41.2 percent from the field (14-of-34), 25 percent from long-range (3-of-12), and a perfect 100 percent at the free throw line (6-of-6). Tech caused the Commodores to turn the ball over 10 times, while the Golden Eagles surrendered the ball only five times.
The Commodores maintained the momentum coming out of the locker room, netting seven unanswered points to take their first lead of the contest, 39-37. Harris responded with a layup to bring the game even at 39 at the 7:26-mark of the third. However, Tech struggled to stop the Commodores as they would go on a 20-6 run over the final seven minutes of play to take a 14-point lead heading into the final period.
The Golden Eagles matched the Commodores point-for-point over the final 10 minutes of play, but it just wasn't enough as Vanderbilt would maintain their advantage and take the 75-61 victory.
"We've had six-straight road games, with one more to play after exams," said coach Rosamond. "This will make us better, there is no question about it. I don't think we will go anywhere in our league that is as tough as when we played at Middle Tennessee and against Vanderbilt. We will be battle-tested by the time we get to January and begin league play."
Up Next
The Golden Eagles will take more than a week off before closing out their seven-game road stretch against Western Carolina on Dec. 17 at the Ramsey Center. Tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m.
